The old Bull Ring

Birmingham City

This was at the time of the open Market Hall, visible at the
extreme right, because WWII bombing had left it roofless.
Cranes stand ominously on the skyline; the construction of
slabs of architectural ugliness was doubtless imminent.

I can remember the Bull ring and the open market, I was born in Loveday street in 1943 the bull ring is where me and my twin sister got our pet tortoise from. and near there was a shop that sold Kunzle cakes they were lovely, and a little shop that sold Cadbury misshapes. and Aston Cross you could always smell the H.P sauce factory.

My mother took me to the Market Hall as soon as it opened after the bombing. The traders were selling between the larger, as yet unmoved pieces of masonary. I can still hear the strident tones of HANDY CARRIER from the old dear that sold the 2d brown paper bags outside the carpet and lino warehouse three regenerations ogo.